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Artist or Not?
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Should somebody who only does cover versions of other peoples songs be entitled to be called an Artist? what do you think.
I think not, surely a True Artist should be able to write their own songs or at least Music (preferably both) and play an instrument of some kind.
Guitar, Synth, Piano, whatever, not just rely on copying somebody elses work.
I think not, surely a True Artist should be able to write their own songs or at least Music (preferably both) and play an instrument of some kind.
Guitar, Synth, Piano, whatever, not just rely on copying somebody elses work.
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So technically, singing covers is actually art.
But, in a world that makes sense to all, I wouldn't consider an X Factor act an artist until they put out original music.
It's a difficult question, a contradiction of sorts.
You don't need to create the music to be an artist according to this definiton
Some people have exceptional voices but their writing skills are nothing to write home about. What makes them any less an artist if they're in some innovative or creative?
If they can do both to a good standard, fine, but personally, if they can't, I'd rather those who are good writers but little more than mediocre singers gave their songs to those who could do them justice and those who are great singers didn't feel the need to subject us to dirges or ditties simply because they wrote them themselves.
Eh, not really. Songwriting and performing are two separate artforms. You don't have to be great or even active in one to be considered great in the other.
Also I'm sure you've just pissed off a lot of professional singers and vocal coaches by suggesting that the voice isn't an instrument.
It was not my intention to Piss anybody off , I merely asked a valid question and I peronally do not think that a person who only does cover versions can be called an Artist. they can be a good singer, but not an Artist. (in my opinion)
Too many so called pop stars get away with cover versions sung through voice synthesisers and pass themselves off as Artists nowadays. I wasnt aiming it at the Andre Bocellis of this world:)
YES.Some of the best artist are mostly known for their covers of other songs, then their own songs. My favorite example is Joplin.
I asked the qusetion,"Should somebody who only does cover versions of other peoples songs be entitled to be called an Artist"?
I agree that once someone starts doing their own work they are entitled to the name Artist.
Singers like Christina Aguilera, Whitney Houston or Mariah Carey may not be able to write songs or play instruments, but they've got vocals most people can only dream of. I'd rather hear them brilliantly sing a well written/produced song by someone else than a songwriter/musician do their own mediocre song.
I feel that the voice is the most important part of the art myself. Anything that comes after (songwriting, instrument playing) is a bonus...if not irrelevant.
For me a singer has to be pretty exceptional, and bring a lot of interpretation to a song for me to be interested in them doing covers (I actually cannot think of one) I like bands who create new music and the singing of it is only one aspect. That is my clear preference in terms of mucisal art - but it doesn't mean that someone who contributes only a voice to a piece is not an artist.
Mariah Carey has written lots of songs, not a fan, but give her, her due:)
He was a painter and decorator from Chicago, Illinois. It's his kind of town ya know!
There are certainly some singers who many would feel don't deserve the title of Artist but that's an impossible one to quantify.
Wow, so everyone who's come out of a singing competition, bar Leona, is comparable to Westlife - ah well, I found out a while ago being so narrowed minded about music does cause you to miss out on some stuff you might really like. My following a singer/songwriter who won one such competition has introduced me, apart from his own pre Idol music, to so many bands, albums and musicians that I'd have completely missed out on, talented, but unknown musicians outside their own area.
Sometimes, decent, hardworking and talented people will get their break this way, not everyone is a fame hungry karaoke singer, just like everyone isn't a talented musician looking for a break.
...she didn't compose a note in her life and spent her entire career covering already popular songs...yet I defy ANYONE not to call her an Artist!!!!
Singing and composing are completely seperate skills and different forms of artistry. You don't have to be an expert in both to be considered an artist!!!
Diferentiating between been a vocalist and being an artist does not take away from the vocalist's abilities but calling everyone who has a gift in one area, does devalue those who are gifted in many areas.
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If I enjoy a song, I'm gonna enjoy it whether or not the person singing it wrote it or not. However, if I'm giving credit for the amount someone contributed to the song, I honestly think those who write, compose and sing their own songs get more credit than those who sing alone.
So Van Gogh was'nt an artist because all he did was paint, he did'nt sculpt also?
Mozart was'nt an artist because he did'nt sing or do his own album covers?
Convinced of the ridiculousness of your position yet?
But surely the interpretation of the lyrics and melody by a talented vocalist is in itself an art form. There's many, many reknowned singers who've never written a note/word themselves, but a brilliant interpretation of a song is, in itself, IMO an art.
Having great skill in a number of areas is great, but it doesn't diminish those whose primary skills are in one particular area
Let me put it to you like this. I have a knack for taking clothes and altering them. I'm really good at it and do it for my friends all the time, which I consider a compliament to my abilities. However, if I was to claim to be a designer my friends would look at me like I had ten heads and I wouldn't be insulted because I agree with them. I can bring unique alterations to something that already exists but I can't design clothes from scratch, therefore, while I do have talent, I am not a designer.
I feel the same about music. I've said before that being a great vocalist is a talent to be proud of but as creating a song from scratch is far more challenging than adding an interpretation to one which already exists, there is a difference between being a vocalist and an artist. It's just the way I see things and it doesn't make a great vocalist any less so.